A 23-year-old man from Leeds has been given a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, for demonstrating support for the proscribed organisation Hamas. He will also be subject to a rehabilitation requirement for 35 days and 100 hours of community service.
Ozain Ibn Yousef, of Mexborough Place, admitted publishing pro-Hamas content on his X account in October and November last year. This included posting images of armed soldiers wearing Hamas headbands, in addition to sharing Hamas led videos.
Ibn Yousef was arrested on November 24, 2024, as part of an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East. On February 27, 2024, he was charged with Publishing a series of images in such a way, or in such circumstances, as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hamas, contrary to section 13(1A) and (3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said:
“As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, UK policing is working closely with affected communities to offer support and reassurance at a time of heightened emotion, anxiety and fear.Alongside our partners, we will act quickly to disrupt any activity that threatens their safety. Supporting or glorifying acts of terrorism, and the groups engaged in them, helps to further terrorist objectives by extending their reach and influence. Anyone demonstrating support for proscribed organisations like Hamas can expect to be prosecuted. We will deny them any opportunity to increase their profile or promote their violent agenda.”
Over lenient sentence, seemingly a pointless prosecution. This cost the taxpayers how much?
It seems about right to me. Well done West Yorks police. It’s a slap on the wrist response to a slap on the wrist offence, at least as described here. Publishing a few Hamas photos is far less offensive to me than all the “from the river to the sea” protestors I have been wading through in London over the last few months, not many of whom have been prosecuted. On some days it takes a lot of restraint not to go over and remonstrate (a dumb move, I know). Likely to cause a breach of the peace, I’d call… Read more »
‘The Palestinians have taught their own children hatred for decades and now they are exporting their bile and vitriol around the world.’
You are correct. They are spreading this ‘bile’ and will continue to do so until they get a firm message beyond a ‘slap on the wrist’.
Good work by the counter terrorism police. Thanks!